Eglinton Host Inaugural First Class Game

Eglinton Host Inaugural First Class Match

For many a cricket fan the date, May 30th 2017, will live long in the memory. Delayed slightly by the rain, the first ball was bowled in a domestic First Class match between the North West Warriors and the Northern Knights. An historic occasion of that there is no doubt.

Craig Young was the man determined to write his name in to the history books across all the ‘firsts’ on the 30th. Taking the new ball he not only bowled the first ball of the first over, he bowled the first maiden, and to crown it all he took the first wicket with the last ball of his over.

This was the beginning of an outstanding bowling display from the Bready seamer who finished with his best first class figures of 5-37. Young was ably supported by his fellow international Stuart Thompson who took 3-32 as the Knights were dismissed for 130.

The only resistance coming from the skipper James Shannon who watched the wickets fall at the other end before he was the last man out for 71. A fine example of a captain’s innings in difficult circumstances.

The Warriors didn’t have it easy in their first dig and were 23/3 before Andy Mc Brine and Niall McDonnell, with 30 each, took them to a first innings lead of 37. Not before Nathan Smith had claimed 4-34 himself as the wickets continued to tumble apace.

This pace increased if anything when the Knights came back out to bat. Reduced to 19/5 there was a wonder of how many they would make the Warriors chase for victory. This was mainly down to the contribution of another Bready bowler, this time David Scanlon. He would finish with 5-29 but his spell after lunch should really have been the telling difference in this match.

Contributions from Shane Getkate, Greg Thompson and 43 not out from Robert McKinley left the Warriors chasing 125 for victory. They had a maximum of 23 overs to chase the victory on Day 2 and will they rue not going for it or be happy with the draw?

Day 3 started with the Warriors needing 77 runs with 8 wickets in hand but not a ball could be bowled due to the inclement weather. After three days, it was a draw and 11 points to the Warriors, 10 points to the Knights.

There were 5-fors from Craig Young and David Scanlon and a great innings from James Shannon. However, it’s probable that after being under pressure during most sessions of play, that the Knights left Eglinton a little happier for seeing the rainclouds move in.